4 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



in among the birches and beating commences, not for larvae 

 but for Geometra papilionaria. We form a line in which we 

 stand, sportsman-like, some ten yards apart. We advance slowly, 

 taking care to mark our path, and beat as we go. In addition to 

 good luck with G. papilionaria, many other Lepidoptera are 

 captured, as Drepana falcataria, Lopliopteryx camelina, Metro- 

 campa margaritaria, Boarmia gemmaria, Asthena luteata, Acidalia 

 bisetata, A. aversata (with the banded form), Cabera pusaria, 

 Fidonia atomaria in profusion, Emmelesia alchemillata, Thera. 

 variata var. obeliscata, Hypsipetes sordidata, Melaiithia ocellata, 

 Melanij^i^e rivata, M. galiata, M. montanata, Coremia designata, 

 C. ferrugata, C. unidentaria, Cidaria corylata, C. truncata 

 (russata), Larentia viridaria, and Camptogramma bilineata. 



The birches are prolific when beaten in the daytime for larvse ; 

 and the umbrella again comes in useful. Among the captures are 

 Drepana falcataria, Dasycliira pudibunda, Notodonta dromedarius, 

 Acronycta p>si, A. leporina, Amphidasys betidaria, and A. strataria. 

 There are also ladybirds of few spots and many spots ; while 

 among beetles Carabiis violaceas is a terrible fellow among the 

 pupffi at oak roots, and, as we break up a rotten log, we find 

 larvfe of Rhagium bifasciatum . 



At last the birches are left behind, and we make for the 

 forest lake of Hatchmere. As we plunge breast-high through 

 the tall ferns we net fresh specimens of Cidaria popidata. 

 Here and there in the forest openings, Pieris brassicce, P. rapes, 

 and P. napi float about like big snowflakes out of season, 

 P. napi being especially abundant, and they form a pleasing 

 contrast to the surrounding greenness. On one side of the 

 mere is a moss with awkward bogholes, and there is a patch 

 of the cotton grass. The little blue butterflies chasing each 

 other, and almost entirely confined to this small area, are 

 Lyccena cegon. L. icarus is met with as we pick our way, when 

 the first Nemeophila russida rises from the heath. One of the 

 party secures three males and an equal number of females. By- 

 and-by there are numbers of Polyommatus p)hlcsas, and, as the 

 ground gets drier, a few ZygcEna filipendulce, in metallic green and 

 scarlet, sail over the trefoil. There is some surprise that we 

 have not met with Coenonympha typhon. Tradition has it that 

 this butterfly was once to be seen on this likely-looking heath. 

 It still liaunts the neighbourhood, but much farther afield. We 



